The decision to double the number of retail liquor locations in the city flowed from a five-month $15,000 study prepared by Brian Yeo of BFY Consulting, a local firm.

As part of the study, 7,000 questionnaires were mailed to households in the city. Of the 918 responses received, 496 came from the Frame Lake South area and 420 were from downtown and Old Town residents.

Well over half (65.5 per cent) of respondents said there was a need for more liquor outlets in the city. Respondents were asked to select areas where they thought liquor stores should be located. Downtown was selected 532 times and Frame Lake/Range Lake 518 times.

The NWT Liquor Commission will be issuing a call for proposals for two retail liquor outlets. The 10-year contract for the current liquor sales outlet, held by a company owned by the Eggenberger family, expires Aug. 31. The new contracts will run for the same term.

"We'll be extending that until the new contractors are in place," said Ron Coutrielle, general manager of the commission.

The Eggenbergers could be one of the new contractors, but to ensure competition the commission is insisting that each store be operated by different individuals and/or families.

Prospective contractors can get a glimpse of what the commission will be looking for when it evaluates proposals at a meeting July 17 at the Yellowknife Inn.

Coutrielle said the call for proposals will be issued "very shortly after that." No date has been set because the terms of the proposal call may be altered based on input at the meeting.

Proponents would be responsible for providing the retail store to sell alcoholic beverages and all costs associated with running it.

In return, they receive a percentage of sales. Prices are set by the commission.

Once the city's population reaches 20,000, the commission will consider allowing a wine, spirits and beer specialty store to increase the variety of high-end products.